Figures in a Garden 1981

Eileen Agar made "Figures in a Garden," using paint, and, well, what figures! The paint is applied in layers, creating a rich surface with areas of opacity and transparency that let light bounce around. I love the way Agar carves out these shapes with color: acidic yellow-greens meeting darker, earthier hues, hinting at forms but never quite resolving into anything concrete. Take a look at the bottom left of the painting. See how the layering of the colors creates this depth that seems to recede and advance simultaneously? It reminds me of a stage set – a space for the imagination to unfold. It puts me in mind of Hilma af Klint, with her playful use of color and form. I see both artists exploring the boundaries between abstraction and representation, and embracing the power of ambiguity. It’s a reminder that art is not about answers, but about asking questions.